Acetylene-gas generator.



No. 783,732. PATENTED FEB. 28, 1905.

A. s. PHELPS, JR. AOETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 16, 1903.

4SEEET8--SHEBT v No. 783,732. PATENTED FEB. 28, 1905.

A. S. PHELPS, JR. AGETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 16, 1903.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Masses No. 783,732. PATENTED FEB. 28, 1905. AS. PHELPS, JR. AOETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 16, 1903.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

51 van for PATENTED FEB. 28, 1905 A. S, PHELPS, JRw AOETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 16,1903.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

[Mfz'wswea m ym NlTED STATEs Fatented February 28, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

AGIETYLEWE GIM% GENEFlATQFl.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 783,732, dated February 28, 1905.

Application filed May 16, 1903. Serial No. 157,464.

To all whom it n'mgl concern:

Be it known that l, ALennNoN S. Pi-in'n'rs, J12, acitizen of the Umted States of America,

. residing at Chicago, Cool: county, State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful linprovements in Acetylene-(ienerators; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in gas-generators, and in particular to acetylenegenerators.

The object of my invention is to provide an acetylene-generator which will comply with all the well-known requirements of the Underwriters Association and which will be capable of automatically adjusting itself, so as to feed various sizes of calcium carbid with equal facility and at the same time insure a close regulation of the gas-pressure.

My invention has for its object. moreover, the prevention of caking ot' the cal-bid within the mouth of the magazine; the agitation ol the sludge within the generator-tank preparatory to flushing the same; the washing, cool ing, and filtering of the gas, and the accompl islnnent ol' the further advantageous results in the manufacture of acetylemw-gas hereinafter more particularly set out.

With these objects in View my invention consists in the featuresaletails oi coi'istructiml, and combination of parts, which will lirst be described in connection with the accompanying drawings, and then particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure l is a view in perperspective view of the lower portion of the magazine and feeding mechanism. Fig. 7 is an elevation of certain portlons which are shown in section in Fig. 5. Fig. 8 is a detail view of the connection between the gasometer and feeding mechanism by which the operation of the latter is automatically regulated, and Fig. 9 is a detail view of the washer.

The main casing or shell (a is divided into two compartments by means of the partition (1/, the lower compartment (1. serving as a genorator-tank, and the upper. (15, serving as a receptacle and water seal for the gasometer 7). Water is supplied to the generator-chamher a by means of the pipe a, bent in such manner as to form a trap at c. This pipe is provided with the tunnel or enlargement 0 into which the water is poured. Provision is made for cleaning this pipe by means of the removable plug 0". The generator-tank is provided with aslopingbottomd and the d raw-oil (1. This draw-oli' is controlled by means of the gate (1. This gate is normally locked by means of a foot (1", carried by a rod (1", which rod is connected with a cock controlling the vent 0, whereby it is rendered .illlDOSSlblO to open the gate (Z and draw off the sludge without at the ."ame time opening the vent leading to the blow-oil and to the interior of the generator-tank above the water-level. The upper chamber It and gasometer b are substantially annular in shape for the accommodation of a cylinder f", forming a central vertical extension of the generator chamber. The cylinder serve. for the reception of a removable carbid-magazine to be hereinafter more specifically described.

The central space formed in the gasometer about the cylinder is not truly annular, but at one side is cut away to leave a spacef between the same and the cylinder for the accornmodation of a rod f connecting the carbid-feed mechai'iism and the gasometer, and also for a rod 7, extending from the upper portion of the gasometer to the bottom of the generator-chamber and there provided with an arm a, by means of which the sludge with in the generator-tank is agitated. This rod extends througha vertical pipe 7 and is provided near its upper end with a closure g. held in position by suitable lock-nuts g. The upper end of the rod is threaded and secured to a coupling 9, and to the other end 01 this hearing within a bracket mounted upon the upper portion of the casing u, by means of which crank-rod the agitating-arm is actuated.

The rod f has a hearing within the bracket 9 or a similar bracket and is coupled at its upper extremity to a weightedpawl to be hereinafter described. The lower end of this rod is pivotally connected with a crank it, which crank is mounted upon a rock-shaft lt, havinganother crank, 72 adapted to engage an open hook-link a. This link 1' is pivotally connected with the carbid feed-shoe c", which in turn is pivotally mounted upon the lower portion of the carbid hopper or magazine in such manner as to control the discharge-opening.

I am aware of constructions in which the rock-shaft engages directly with a slot in the feed-shoe; but this construction is open to the objection that it is practically impossible to avoid sliding friction, which materially impairs the sensitiveness of response by the feedshoe to the movement of the bell and results in flickering of lights. This objection is overcome by the provision of the link connection between the rock-shaft and the shoe.

The pivot 2'", upon which the shoe is mounted, is rigidly secured thereto and rocks as the shoe is reciprocated. In the center of this pivot is an arm 2'", carrying a pin r, which depends within the mouth or discharge-opening of the magazine. The function of this pin is to agitate the carbid in the mouth of the magazine as the shoe is rocked back and forth in feeding the carbid to the generatortank. At times, especially when the machine has not been in use for a day or more, there is a tendency on the part of the carbid to hydrate in the mouth of the magazine and form in a somewhat compact mass, preventing a natural flow of material by gravity. The movement of this pin up and down loosens the mass at once and starts the natural flow as soon as the machine is again in action.

Disposed within the carbid-magazine j is the deflecting-plate or shed j, serving to conline the egress of the carbid to one side of the cylindrical magazine. Below this shedy" is another incline, f forming the lower funnelshaped portion of the magazine and disposed at substantially right angles to the first shed. It will thus be seen that the carbid approaches the discharge-opening from one side, thus reducing the tendency to clog. Moreover, the discharge from the feed-shoe is in a direction opposite to the inclined approach to the discharge-opening, which opening is practically at the vertical center of the hopper. The outlet of the magazine at f and the feed-shoe 2' are curved concentric with the pivot 2' of the feed-shoe, and in this way the reciprocating motion of the feed-shoe across the mouth is unimpeded, by reason of the fact that the space coupling is secured a crank-rod 9, having a l between the two is at all times constant. Re-

ferring to Fig. 5, the feeding takes place only as the shoe moves to the right in the direction of the arrow, and consequently, as stated, the carbid is discharged in a direction at an angle to its flow as it approaches the mouth of the magazine. The effect of this is to cause the carbid stream to strike the shoe in its downward course, and thus prevent any tendency to [low too rapidly, the discharge at the left being at a point not exposed to direct pressure from the carbid above. By this arrangement the carbid is fed into the generatorchamber in regular and evenly-distributed charges. From this same Fig. 5 it will be observed that the lower portion of the magazine on the right-hand side is incased by an irregular web, the upper portion is of which and also the part Zr immediately above the throat of the hopper being inclined in such manner as to allow for the dripping of moisture formed thereon from condensation beyond the vertical line of the shoe, so as to protect the same. On the left-hand si e also, as shown particularly in Fig. 7, a shoulder 11: serves to lead the condensed moisture to a point where it will not drip into the open mouth of the shoe.

The carbid within the hopper is most effectually sealed against the entrance of moisture, the only opening thereto being at the month, which is protected by the charge of carbid within the shoe. Moreover, the shoe is pivoted not within the hopper itself, but upon lugs y, formed on the outside thereon. One of these lugs is provided with a shoulder f, which serves to form a stop for the shoe in its normal position. The depending pin 2 passes through the crown of the magazinethroat at j, which serves as a bearing or guide to confine the pin a to a substantially vertical movement.

Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, it will be seen that the hook-link vi is provided beyond its pivotal connection with an extension 2", engaging a corresponding lug '5 formed on the side of the shoe, constituting a stop limiting the downward movement of the hooked end of the link. The open hook admits of the entire carbid-magazine being lifted from the inclosing cylinder and being replaced without disarranging the subsequent relation of the parts. The hook connection with the rock-shaft permits free transmission of the motion from the rock-shaft to the shoe without a tendency to bind. The side of the shoe, as shown in Fig. 2, is provided with a slotted guide i serving to hold the hook-link in position laterally, while permitting free movement-vertically.

Within the cylinder f, adapted for the reception of the carbid-magazine, is a bracket 7", provided with a set-screw f, upon which the carbid-magazine is adapted to rest when in operative position. By means of the setscrew vertical ad ustment of the magazine firearms with :respectto the shoe-actuating mechanism is secured, the weight of the magazine upon the set-screw at one side tending to throw the magazine to the opposite side and hold the same securely in that position.

Referring to the connection between the feed-rodf and the gasoineter, by means of which the feed is automatically regulated, this red is coupled, as before stated, to a weighted pawl Z. This pawl is pivotal] y mounted at Z within one arm of a bracket l having lixed relation to the casing a, and is forked, as at I, the rod. passing between the forks and pivotally connected thereto, as at/'. The upper end of the rod is in vertical line with and adapted to abut against a lever in, one end of which is pivoted to an upright standard in of the aforesaid bracket, and the other end is connected by a link m with a demo 6', forn'led on the gasometer-bell. Pivotally mounted. upon this lever almostdirectly above the pivotal mounting of the pawl is another pawl, m, adapted when the gasometer in its lowermost position to engage the lirstnamed pawl The operation of this portion of the device is as follows: As the supply of gas is diminished the falling gasometer carries with it the lever 11/, which abuts against the upper end of the feed-rod f and forces the same downward. The resultis to actuate the rock-shaft /1. and through the hook-link to reciprocate the feed-shoe i and thedepending pin vi", thus supplying a charge of carbid to the generator-tank a. As the gas is generated the gasometer-bell rises, and the pawl in. having engaged the pawl the feed-rodj' is carried upward a certain distance, again closing the carbid-discharge opening by means of the feed-shoe; but as the gasometer continues to rise the curved extremities of the pawls coact in such manner as to disel'lgage themselves, and thus permit the pawl m to ascend with the lever in, leaving the pawl and the feed-rod 7" in their normal position with the carbid-dischargeopeningclosed. To facilitate the return of the feed-rod and feedshoe to a normal closed position, the pawl is weighted, whereby when the carbid-magazine is removed for repairs the crank it of the rock-shaft /1. will be maintained in the right position to engage the hook-link when the magazine is returned.

The rock-shaft It mounted at one end on a cross-piece lt, attached to the inside of the cylinder near one side. The end of the rockshaft abuts against the cylinder and is pro vided with a suitable pin to prevent its movement in the opposite direction. The other extremity of the rock-shaft passes through a smiling-box 7/." at the opposite side of the cylinder.

The lever m is coupled to the standard m by means of a pin or bolt in." and a cotter-pin F m. .ln order to facilitate the uncoupling of the lever when it is desired to recharge the machine or remove the carbidanagazine, the cotter-pin is attached by a chain or to the bracket, and the head of the bolt is also attached to the bracket in a similar way. It will be seen, therefore, that if the operator desires to disconnect the lever from the standard he merely grasps the chain attached to the cotter-pin and by it pulls the cotter-pin from its seat. He then pulls the chain attached to the head of the bolt, and thus removes said bolt. The cotter-pin and bolt are thus secured to the bracket and cannot be misplaced, but will be readily found when it is desired to again couple the lever and standard.

The passage of the gas through the apparatus will be readily understood by a reference to Figs. 1 and 2. As the carbid falls into the generator-tan k a gas is generated, which passes through the pipe 0, over the upper open end of which is secured a hood 0', which closed at its upper end and open at its lower end. This pipe is disposed within the dome of the gasonoeter in such manner that the lower end of the hood is constantly beneath the level of the water therein. The lower end of this hood is of perforated zinc, as 0", through which perforations the gas escapes beneath the surface of the water and passes upward within a larger hood (1, entirely surroumling the lirstnamed hood and provided at its top with small perlbrations 0', extending over the surface. This peculiar construction insures a complete washing and cooling of the gas and its gradual dillnsion into the gasometer without any sudden fluctuations of pressure, which would otherwise result if the top of the outer hood were entirely open or contained large discharge-o iienings. From the gasometer the gas passes through the pipe 7) into the upper end of a filter-chamber 7), Fig. 1, which is a closed cylinder filled with suitable liltering material consisting, preferably, oi. a layer of some suitable porous substance, such as coke, at the upper and lower ends, with an intermediate layer of hair or wool. The lower end of this filter connects, by means of the pipe 1 with a "IT, one extension of which forms a service-pipe 1 and the other constitutes a depending drip pipe extending into the dripbox t. The blow-olf s is in the nature of a stand-pipe extending into the gasometer-bell and having its upper end covered by a telescoping tube s, carried by the gasometer-bell. The lower portion of the telescoping tube is provided with openings which when the gasometer reaches a certain elevation permit the entrance of the gas to the blow-ofli' pipe s and its escape thence through the T s" to the outer blow-elf a". ()ne arm of the T terminates within the upper portion of the dripbox 7 which is so arranged as to form a conneetion between the blow-o'l'i' s and the vent e.

The drip-box Z is of the usual construction and 1s filled wlth water by means of the lillingtube Z The overflow u is of the usual construction and serves to indicate when the generatorchamber is supplied with a normal quantity of water, any excess of water lindingan escape through said overflow.

Having described and ascertained the nature of my said invention, what I desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In an acetylene-generator, the combination, with a generator-tank, and a carbid-magazine, of a substantially annular gasometerbell mounted in operative relation to the generator-tank and surrounding the magazine, and means passing through the space between the magazine and the gasometer bell and adapted to operate carbid-feeding mechanism.

2. In an acetylene-generator, the combination, with a generator-tank, a carbid-magazine, and carbid-feeding mechanism, of a substantially annular gasometerbell mounted upon the generator-chamber and surrounding the magazine, and a rod connected with the carbid-feeding mechanism and passing through the space between the magazine and the gasometer-bell.

3. In an acetylene-generator, the combination, with agenerator-tank, a carbid-magazine mounted thereon and carbid-feeding mechanism, of a substantially annular gasometer-bell surrounding the carbid-magazine and cut away at one side to leave a space between the bell and the magazine, and a connection between the carbid-feeding mechanism and the gasome ter-bell, such connection passing between the annular gasometer-bell and the carbid-magazine.

I. In an acetylene-generator, the combination, with agenerator-tanli, a carbid-magazine mounted thereon, and carbid-feeding mechanism, of a gasometer-bell surrounding the ear bid-magazine and cut away at one side to form a space between the bell and the magazine, a lever connected with the bell, andv a connection between said lever and the feeding mechanism, such connection being disposed within the s pace at the side of the magazine.

5. In an acetylene-generator, the combination, with a generator-tank, a carbid-magazine mounted thereon, and a carbid-feeding mechanism of a gasometer-bell surrounding the magazine and cut away at one side to form a space between said bell and the magazine, a bracket on the generator-casing, a lever pivotally connected at one end to said bracket and at the other end to the bell, a rod connected with the feeding mechanism and extending through the space between the bell and the magazine and so disposed as to contact with the lever, whereby the rising and falling of the bell will serve to operate the feeding mechanism.

6. In an acetylene-generator, the combination, with agenerator-tank, a carbid-magazine mounted above said tank, a carbid-feeding mechanism and a substantially annular gasometer-bell surrounding the magazine and provided with a space at one side between the bell and magazine, a rod connected with the feeding mechanism and extending through said space, a pawl mounted upon said rod, a lever carried by the bell, a second pawl mounted upon said lever in such position as to engage the first-narned pawl, whereby the rising and falling of the bell operates to actuate the feeding mechanism.

7. In an acetylene-generator, the combination, with a generator-tank, a carbid-magazine mounted centrally above the same, a substantiall y annular gasometer-bell surrounding the magazine and cut away at one side to form a space between the bell and magazine, a carbid-feeding mechanism, a bracket mounted on the generator-casing, a lever pivotally connected at one end to said bracket and at the other end to the bell, a pawl carried by the lever, a rod connected with the feeding mechanism and extending through the space between the bell and magazine, a second pawl mounted upon said rod and also upon the bracket, the two pawls and the rod being so rotated that as the bell falls the lever depresses the rod and actuates the feeding mechanism in one direction and as the bell rises the pawls engage each other and actuate the feeding mechanism in the opposite direction, the contour of the pawls being such that as the bell continues to rise the pawls become disengaged leaving the feeding mechanism in its closed position.

8. In an acetylenegenerator, the combination, with a generator-tank, a carbid-magazine mounted thereon, a substantially annular gasometer-bell surrounding the magazine and cut away at one side to form a space between the gasometer-bell and magazine, an agitator disposed within the generator-tank and adapted to be operated by a vertical rod passing through said space, a carbid-feeding mechanism, a rod connected with said feeding mechanism and extending upwardly through said space, a bracket mounted on the generatorcasing, a pawl pivotally mounted upon the upper end of the rod and upon the bracket, a lever connected at one end to the bracket and at the other end to the bell, a second pawl carried by the lever in such relation that the falling gasometer-bell depresses the rod and actuates the feeding mechanism in one direction and as the bell rises the pawls engage each other and actuate the rod in the opposite direction, the contour of the pawls being such that they become disengaged from each other at a predetermined point so that as the bell continues to rise the feeding mechanism is left in its closed position.

9. In an acetylene-generator, the combination, with a generator-tank, a gasometer-bell, and a carbid-magazine, of a feed-shoe pivoted in such manner as to be capable of reciprocation across the mouth of the magazine, a rock-shaft having a crank, a link connecting the crank and shoe, an arm on the rock-shaft, and a rod connected with the arm and with the gasometer-bell whereby the rising and falling of the bell rocks the shaft and actu ates the feed-shoe.

10. In an acetylene-generator, the combination, with a generator-tan k, a gasometer-bell, and a carbid mechanism, of a feed-shoe pivoted outside of the magazine-throat in such manner as to be capable of reciprocation across the mouth of the magazine, a rock-shaft having a crank, a link connecting the crank with the shoe, an arm on the rockshai't, and a connection between said arm and the gasometerbell whereby the shaft is rocked and the feedshoe reciprocated the bell rises and falls.

11. in an acetylcue-generator, the combination, with a generator--tank, a gasometer-bell, and a carbid-magazine, of a feed-shoe pivoted in such manner as to be capable of reciprocation across the mouth of the magazine, an arm mounted on the pivot in lixed relation to the shoe, a pin depending from the arm within the throat of the magazine, a rock-shaft, a link connecting the rock-shalit with the feed shoe, an arm carried by the rock-shait, and. a connection between said arm and the gasometer-bell whereby the shaft is rocked,'the feedshoe reciprocated and the pin actuated within the mouth of the magazine as the bell rises and falls.

12. In an acetylene-generator, the combination with a generator-tank, a gasometerdaell, and a-carbid-magazinc, of a feed-shoe pivoted in such manner as to be capable of reciprocation across the mouth of the carbidanagazine, a rock-shaft having a crank, a hook pivoted to the shoe and adapted to engage the crank with itshooked end, and means for rocking said shaft.

13. In an acetylene-generator, the combination, with a generator-tank, a gasometer-bell. and a carbid-magazine, of a feed-shoe pivoted outside of the magazine in such manner as to be capable of reciprocation across the mouth of the magazine, an arm carried by the pivot, a pin depending from the arm within, the throat of the magazine, a rock-shaft provided with a crank, a hook-link pivoted at one end to the shoe and adapted to engage the crank with its hooked end, a stop to limit the vertical play of the link, a guide serving to limit the lateral play of the link, an arm mounted upon the rock-shaft, and a'connection between the arm and the gasometer-bell, whereby the shaft is rocked, the shoe reciprocated across the mouth of the magazine and the pin actuated within the mouth of the magazine as the bell rises and falls.

lit. in an acetylene-generator, the combination, with a generator-tank, a carbid-magazine arranged above the tank, a substantially annular gasometer-bcll surrounding said magazinc and cut away at one side to form an in tervening space, an agitator arranged in the lower portion of the tank and consisting of a substantially horizontal arm mounted upon a vertical rod passing upward through said space, a handle mounted on the upperextremity of the rod, and a sealed tube inclosing said rod within said space, of a shoe pivoted in such manner as to be capable of reciprocation across the mouth of the carbid-magazine, a rock-shaft bent to form a crank, a hook-link pivoted at one end to the shoe and engaging the crank with its hooked end, an arm carried by the rock-shaft, a rod connected with said arm and extending upward through said space, a bracket mounted on the generator-casing, a pawl pivotally mounted on the bracket and on the rod, a lever pivotally connected at one end with said bracket and at the other end with the gasometer-bell, and a second pawl mounted upon the lever, the relation of the parts being such that the shaft will beroeked and the feed-shoe reciprocated as the gasometer-bell rises and falls.

15. In an acetylene-generator, a generatortank, a cylinder mounted above said tank and communicating therewith, a carbid-magazine removably disposed within said cylinder, and means for adjustably supporting said magazine in operative position.

16. In an acetylene-gencrator, a generatortank, a cylinder mounted thereon and communicating therewith, a carbid-magazine removably disposed within said. cylinder, a set-screw carried by a bracket within said cylinder in such position as to adjustably support the magazine at one side, carbid-feeding mechanism carried by the lower end of the magazine, and other mechanism disposed within the cylinder in such manner as to cooperate with the mechanism attached to the removable magazine, whereby the carbid is supplied to the generator-tank as desired.

17. In an acetylene-generator, a generatortank, a cylinder mounted centrally thereon and communicating therewith, a carbid-maga zine removably disposed within said cylinder, means for adjustably supporting said magazine within said cylinder, carbid-:t'ceding mechanism carried by the lower end of the magazine, and other mechanism permanently disposed within the cylinder in such manner as to cooperate with the mechanism attached to the removable magazine, whereby the carbid is supplied to the generator-tank as required.

18. .In an acetylene-generator, a generatortank, a cylinder disposed above said tank and connected therewith, a carbid-magazine removably disposed within said cylinder, a setscrew carried by a bracket within said cylinder in such position as to adji'istably support the magazine at one side, feeding mechanism connected with the lower end of the magazine and extending through the side of the cylinder, a substantially annular gasoineter-bell surnel leading to the mouth of the magazine in a direction inclined to the vertical, said sloping channel being at substantially right angles opposed to the shed, and feeding mechanism operating to discharge the carbid at an angle to the direction of its flow through said channel.

20. In an acetylene-generator, a generator tank, a carbid-magazine disposed above the tank and having its dischargeopening approximately at the axis of the magazine, a deflecting-plate or shed disposed at an angle within said magazine in such manner as to deflect the carbid to one side, a funnel-shaped channel leading from the terminus of the deilectingplate to the mouth of the magazine in a direction inclined to the vertical, and a sliding feed-shoe controlling the mouth of said magazine and operating to discharge the carbid at an angle opposed to the direction of its flow approaching said mouth. y

In testimony whereof I atfix my signature to this specification in the presence of two \vit- 35 nesses.

ALGERNON S. PHELPS, JR. itnessesz J, M. ST. Jonx,

(i. F. RABUS. 

